jcstokes wrote on 09/23/13 at 02:25:10:Signor Pescatori, I'm not sure about this. You may have the location right, but I feel any bike impressed into the military would be painted camo, drab, khaki, or the service colour of the outfit it was impressed into. That bike is still in civvies. Speedo mounting doesn't seem to fit with the Italian bikes you show anyway it's an interesting identity question.
Herr Sokes, I'm sorry but I believe I know a little bit about European history.
You are slightly (but only just) ... way off track.
Have you ever heard the term "press-gang" ? it was the Royal Navy's preferred way of recruitment.
It seems that sometimes the USNavy adopted a similar system, albeit only during the War of 1812 and only in some ports (read New Orleans).
During WW2, all Armies resorted to requisitioning - i.e. seizing a vehicle or other facilities by force of a warrant issued by the local Milirtary Governor.
My grandfather buried his own Gilera 500 in a field in order to avoid having the Germans first, then the Yugoslav Red Army requisition it.
unfortunately, someone's artillery had a better idea and the field was shelled... one round too many...
That may well be a civilian bike... but who would claim that a young and smiling Abyssinian model would be riding barebreasted and carefree... in the 1930's?
Somehow, I don't see than happening, not in Abyssinia, not in Alabama, not anywhere
That pic is a detail of a 1930's propaganda poster.
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